Sheridan

Either Stoeger.............would be my call.



I have the Condor O/U in 12 gauge, but I use my 20 gauge SXS (Marlin LC Smith) for smaller birds.

Wlfdg

Thanks!
I'm kind of leaning towards the Condor myself. I was thinking of the Condor Field Combo 12/20 so I can get an adjustable choke 12 g. and a 20g. in one shot. But it of course is a bunch more money.

Sheridan

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...ger_condor.php



Worth the extra $$$ in my opinion (it's really not that expensive).




Look on-line and then ship to local FFL dealer and pay the transfer fee.




http://www.impactguns.com/store/037084310411.html




Hope this helps.

Wlfdg

Hey Sheridan, Thanks for the links.

driftrider

I guess I don't really understand how a 20 gauge shooting the same shot size with, say, 1 ounce of shot at similar velocities will tear up a grouse any more than a 12 gauge with a similar load. Unless you want a 20 gauge just because you can, I'd say the best thing to do would be to buy some 12 gauge shells with lighter 7/8 to 1 ounce payloads.

And consider yourself lucky to have a dog that works birds purely on instinct. It would seem to be a very rare gift even for dogs specifically bred as hunting dogs. My dog (a golden retriever/border collie mix) can't even figure out how to retrieve a tennis ball. Oh, he'll chase it as long as it's moving, but once he catches it he just sniffs it and looses interest. I doubt he's cut out for hunting.

Mike

driftrider

But if you just gotta get yourself a new shotgun... I like the Stoeger O/U's, as they seem really nice and are inexpensive for an O/U. Another I'd look at is the Mossberg Reserve O/U. I have a friend that has one and it is really just as nice as many of the O/U's that cost 2-3 times as much. They're more than the Stoeger O/U, but they are a lot nicer looking with scroll engraving and gold accents and such "typical" to an O/U upland gun.

Mike

Wlfdg

"I guess I don't really understand how a 20 gauge shooting the same shot size with, say, 1 ounce of shot at similar velocities will tear up a grouse any more than a 12 gauge with a similar load. Unless you want a 20 gauge just because you can, I'd say the best thing to do would be to buy some 12 gauge shells with lighter 7/8 to 1 ounce payloads."

I've already done that. I believe it's the choke and not the shot size. The modified choke is too tight and turns the breasts to hamburger.

And consider yourself lucky to have a dog that works birds purely on instinct. It would seem to be a very rare gift even for dogs specifically bred as hunting dogs. My dog (a golden retriever/border collie mix) can't even figure out how to retrieve a tennis ball. Oh, he'll chase it as long as it's moving, but once he catches it he just sniffs it and looses interest. I doubt he's cut out for hunting.

Mike

I consider myself very lucky. Wilson is an incredible dog in so many ways. Not to brag, but, when I fostered him he was 16 months old, untrained and completely out of control. I had no desire to keep him but figured I would at least try to train him. He was COMPLETELY off leash trained in 4 days! Heel, recall, etc... everything! I kept him! Thanks much Mike I know I am really very fortunate. I am really glad he was saved from being euthanized.

Wlfdg

I could care less about vanity features. IMO- it makes as much sense as buying a pretty hammer.